Knitgrrl 2: Learn to Knit with 16 All-New Patterns [Paperback]

Shannon Okey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2006

It used to be that springtime meant putting aside knitting and other cold-weather pursuits. It is no more. For KnitGrrls everywhere, warmer temperatures mean it's time to slather on the sunblock and pack the beach bag with needles, yarn - and "KnitGrrl2". From choosing yarn and holding needles, it's a few short steps to making Ooh-La-La Flip-Flops, Blossom Headbands, Beach-Read Book Covers, and Cabana Beach Bags, plus twelve other fun-in-the-sun essentials. All projects are presented with easy-to-follow photos and directions. Knit Grrls will be thrilled to the tips of their needle-brandishing fingers with such extras as a quiz on finding their best colours and do-it-yourself projects on making needle holders and knitting journals. And where else can teens and tweens learn how to custom-dye yarn with Kool-Aid? Only in "KnitGrrl2" - sure to be the hottest beach book of the year! It is a high-quality look in a low-price book! Spring and summer styles keep teens knitting year-round. This book is a follow-up to top-selling "KnitGrrl".

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up–Like Knitgrrl (Watson-Guptill, 2005), this is an eye-catching introduction to the craft. Varied typeface and print color as well as a mix of excellent color photography and illustrations make this book fun to read and explore. Clear, step-by-step directions are extremely helpful for learning the basics. Each of the 16 projects includes skills, size, finished measurements, materials, gauge, pattern, finishing, and a color photo. Teens can create flip-flops, book covers, a jacket collar, a headband/choker, a pencil purse, a water-bottle holder, a beauty-to-go bag, a belt, a kerchief, a cardigan, a scarf, a necklace, wrist/ankle bracelets, a poncho, a tank top, and a beach bag. Materials are easily obtainable in sewing/craft stores. About two dozen tips are interspersed throughout the text. This delightful book is sure to please experienced as well as new knitters.–Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-8. This sequel to the popular Knitgrrl (2005) begins with very similar chapters on materials and instructions for basic knitting before hitting its stride with 16 new projects. The colorful format features pictures of the finished projects, usually modeled by teens; step-by-step photos of techniques such as cable cast-on and three-needle bind off; and computer-assisted illustrations of the projects in various stages of construction. Knitters with questions are invited to pose them on the Knitgrrl Web site, and a number of other helpful sites are appended. Projects include a cropped tank top, wrist and ankle bracelets, a sports bottle holder, and a striped cardigan. Great for inspiration as well as practical help in mastering the art of creating wearable and usable knitted projects. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Potter Craft (April 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823026191
• ISBN-13: 978-0823026197
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.3 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,164,664 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #76 in Books > Teens > Sports & Hobbies > Arts & Crafts

More About the Author

Shannon Okey is a designer and the author, co-author or editor of many fiber arts-related books, including Knitgrrl, Knitgrrl 2, The Knitgrrl Guide to Professional Knitwear Design, Spin to Knit, Felt Frenzy, Crochet Style, Just Socks, Just Gifts, AlterNation, The Pillow Book, How to Knit in the Woods, the second edition of Knitting For Dummies and Alt Fiber. She is currently working on a number of new publishing projects.

Okey is the former editor of UK-based monthly knitting magazine Yarn Forward, and also wrote a column for knit.1 magazine. She owns Knitgrrl Studio, a workshop/studio space in Cleveland, has appeared on several crafty TV shows, including Knitty Gritty, Uncommon Threads, Crafters Coast To Coast and Knitting Daily TV. She teaches all over the world. (You've never had fun til you've tried to teach drop spindle spinning on a cruise ship that's lurching from side to side!)

For the latest news on Shannon and her books, check out her Knitgrrl website which includes her teaching and events schedule, as well as information on upcoming projects.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Knitgrrls Rock!, June 1, 2006

By 

Amy O'Neill Houck (Takoma Park, MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Knitgrrl 2: Learn to Knit with 16 All-New Patterns (Paperback)

For those of you who loved Shannon Okey's first book, Knitgrrl, you're in luck--Shannon recently released a sequel, Knitgrrl 2, just as full of fun, acessible patterns as the first--if you weren't familiar with Knitgrrl, then now you've got two great books you can add to your library.

Both books have fantastic how-two information, which use pictures instead of just drawings, to teach the basics. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. The original book is full of fun, easy patterns that teach basic skills like scarves and wristlets--a cool i-pod purse and leg warmers--there's even a basic introduction to lace.

In Knitgrrl 2, the patterns continue to be fun without being at all repetitive--there's a great belt (and I can attest that knitted belts are very popular with the 2 kids classes I teach) and a sideways knit cardigan by Kristi Porter knit in Noro, that I'm sure will have lots of "grown up" knitters running for their needles. (Kristi's a frequent contributor to Knitty.com and the creator of the new FrankenKnits.com site.) Knitgrrl 2, also has a beautiful knit, beaded necklace, and an adorable cropped tank top. Both books are sprinkled with helpful tips and ideas, and are full of fun illustrations by Kathleen Jacques.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A worthy successor., June 28, 2006

By 

Robert P. Beveridge "xterminal" (Lakewood, OH) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Knitgrrl 2: Learn to Knit with 16 All-New Patterns (Paperback)

Shannon Okey, Knitgrrl 2 (Watson-Guptill, 2006)

Shannon Okey's back with another book of patterns like you've never seen before. Readers of Okey's first book (titled, not surprisingly, Knitgrrl) will recognize the general layout here-- how-to tips with clear illustrations, silly, endearing artwork, and of course, the patterns. While the book starts out feeling like a retread-- the patterns at the beginning will be in-your-sleep kinds of things for those who went through the first book-- don't let your guard down. By the time you get to the patterns at the back of the book, you will be challenged unless you are a seasoned veteran-- and you may be challenged anyway, even if you are.

Good, solid stuff, just like the first book. If you liked one, you'll like the other. *** ½

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 Flags from Euro-Reviews: Top Teen Knitting Book!, May 22, 2006

By 

Eveline "Eveline" (Brussels, Belgium) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Knitgrrl 2: Learn to Knit with 16 All-New Patterns (Paperback)

Shannon Okey's approach in making knitting something hip and trendy and attracting the interest of young adults definitely worked! I read through this book before actually knitting the projects although I could hardly resist making them. If it wasn't for the fact that I was out of yarn...

After also reading the Stitch-n-Bitch book by Debbie Stoller, I conclude that the Stitch-n-Bitch book mentions the same things but the Knitgrrl books just puts it in a more interesting way for teens as they are not interested in reading through a lot of text, in plain black and white with no funny illustrations. Knitgrrl 2 covers not only basic techniques but it really goes in dept for a Young Adult book.. It even has a special chapter about Beading, which I found very interesting as I've heard so much about this new technique and most regular knitting books don't include information on this yet. The page about dying your yarn was really interesting as well.

As for the projects, they are great! Not long afghans or big sweaters(just a small top and a poncho) but small projects to start with like a head band, a make-up bag, book covers, a shawl (ofcourse) and many more summer projects. The color transition in her projects made the projects even more inviting to knit them.

There were illustrations throughout the book (by Kathleen Jacques) which I found really beautiful and hip. Kids love cats or dogs so they'll surely look or even stare at these lovely illustrations.

The trendy small summer projects together with the easy approach make this book the perfect beginner's guide for any soon-to-be-intermediate-knitter. You really don't have to be a teen to thoroughly enjoy this book and learn from it!

-reviewed by Eveline for http://euroreviews.r8.org